The price of used Lego...

[rupi]

I just made a good buy in Ebay, compared to other prices for the same sets in the same conditions, I spent about 3 euros and the same set in other ebay auction was sold for 12 euros! It's not much, it was a small pirate set but it had two imperial soldiers so I expected the price to be a lot more, and I stil have to add the postage costs.

This make me start thinking... what is the price for used lego? I mean there are people buying sets for a lot more they costed when they were new, and a lot more then a set of the same size costs new today.

Ok, I know that are some sets and themes that are rare and will not be made again, but I try to keep in mind that I'm buying a used toy not an art work or a gold object... so I bid usualy low. that's why most of the times I don't win, but when I do, I get a good price (I think...of course to some relatives I am crazy and spend a lot of money in used legos).

In this moment I am buying pirates and castle sets and lose lots. I wanted to buy the new vikings theme sets but I am spending all the money in used lego... Maybe in ten years I will be buying used viking sets for a lot more the price they cost today, but what can I do...

[gylman]

Ok, I know that are some sets and themes that are rare and will not be made again, but I try to keep in mind that I'm buying a used toy not an art work or a gold object... so I bid usualy low. that's why most of the times I don't win, but when I do, I get a good price (I think...of course to some relatives I am crazy and spend a lot of money in used legos).

I think some Lego sets are really like art. Beautiful to look at, and much nicer decoration than most of hte pictures I have in my house.

Also, for many there is very important sentimental value - they played with these as children, and now they are grown up, have money, and buy this for pleasure, or for their children to play with the same toy they did.

One thing for sure. It's not just a toy.

[natelite]

i have given up buying old sets because to me, i think it's just too much. but who knows? maybe in 10 more years they will appreciate to more than $1000? as we know most of these hard to find stuff gets pricier with each passing year. you might think it is ridiculous to be paying a lot of money for used stamps but people do pay that much. especially the 1 penny stamp from like 100 years ago.

[WhiteHexagon]

I considered buying some childhood sets for nostalgia, and partially an investment. But then I started to consider the cost and also the fact that if I bought an unopeneded set I wouldn't be able to play with it anyway. Also it would take up storage space somewhere, since I couldn't take the parts out of the box. And would I even be able to ever sell it again? probably not because of nostalgia, assuming lego even continues to keep its value. So I think now buying as an investment is just not going to work for me. And if I buy second hand then probably the bricks will have teeth marks if they looked anything like my old sets :(

So my latest idea is just to find the instructions for the sets I used to own and try to accumulate enough new bricks to rebuild them! But maybe I'll still be tempted to buy some of the old minifigs :)

Peter

[mutley777]

i think the price of used lego is a great! shopping for bits and pieces that i nead of bricklink is always a real pleasure, and quite cheap! complete sets are a different matter altogether. star wars (which is my main lego passion *wub* ) can get very expensive for discontiued sets, so my only advice here is buy them retail or if you can, a sale! i also bought a classic space set a few months back just to remind me of the first set i remember buying. that was also from BL, but the price was not to bad and the lego in great condition. all in all lego can be a cheap hobby if you want it to be. but it can also be a expensive collection, the choice at the end of the day is yours! :-P

[takuto20]

At first I wanted to do the same as WhiteHexagon, I mean grabbing a wonderful inventory from Peeron.com and then buying the necessary pieces brand new.

The feeling of the hunting is great!!! *sweet* I reccomend everybody here to do this because it is very doable with sets like Cafe Breeze, I had almost all the parts (miuns windows)! The only problem I had was that every single big white plate I bought in Bricklink was yellowed or had teeth marks.... :-| People really should not lie about the condition of pieces labeled as "new"... But still fun.

Some other sets, however, are cheaper if you wait for a reasonably priced MISB. The wonderful Pier Police or The Gas Station, for example, because it has quite a few old specialised parts that cannot be found in new sets and hence are very difficult to find in a great state. I am talking about the small wheels, car bases...

Oh! Yeah, I forgot to say that in my case everything started when I started replacing any old grey with bley (Sorry guys, I like it) from my Grand Station. I realised this is very difficult, because for example this piece does not exist in light/dark bley. Oh well... :-|

I still recommend trying, because it's fun.

[dunamis]

Also, for many there is very important sentimental value - they played with these as children, and now they are grown up, have money, and buy this for pleasure, or for their children to play with the same toy they did.

That sums up a lot of my "collecting" as of late. Except for the new Star Wars and Technic, I've been going back and scooping up all the old sets I used to play with (Classic Space, Expert (early Technic) and Town). I came out of my dark ages about 20 months ago and I love finding (usually on Ebay) the old sets I used to love playing with as a child.

In addition, I found it very relaxing to find and build the sets that I never had (like Castle, Pirate and Trains.) I remember seeing the castle sets in the catalog as a child, but I never had any. I have a somewhat stressful job and I spend many nights building these old sets and leaving them out for my kids to find in the morning. They are soooo excited and can't wait for me to get home from work so they can show me all the things they did with them and we can play together.

What could be better?

[gylman]

Also, for many there is very important sentimental value - they played with these as children, and now they are grown up, have money, and buy this for pleasure, or for their children to play with the same toy they did.

That sums up a lot of my "collecting" as of late. Except for the new Star Wars and Technic, I've been going back and scooping up all the old sets I used to play with (Classic Space, Expert (early Technic) and Town). I came out of my dark ages about 20 months ago and I love finding (usually on Ebay) the old sets I used to love playing with as a child.

In addition, I found it very relaxing to find and build the sets that I never had (like Castle, Pirate and Trains.) I remember seeing the castle sets in the catalog as a child, but I never had any. I have a somewhat stressful job and I spend many nights building these old sets and leaving them out for my kids to find in the morning. They are soooo excited and can't wait for me to get home from work so they can show me all the things they did with them and we can play together.

What could be better?

I could not have explained it better.

[natelite]

i also have a stressful job. but i spend the weekend instead (or friday night) building and playing with my boy over the weekend.